Why? Pictures

Robert Plant’s New Band of Joy Plot Album, Summer Tour

Photo: Kent/WireImage Led Zeppelin have been turning down festival reunion offers left and right, and now we know why: Robert Plant will hit the road with his resurrected Band of Joy project this summer — and he’s currently recording a new album slated for release in early summer or late fall. The first leg of the 12-date tour kicks off July 13th in Memphis before wrapping up July 31st in Miami; a second leg is scheduled for the fall. As Zep fans probably know, Plant and drummer John Bonham were

Published: 2010-03-26 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Gallagher explains why he quit Oasis

Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher claims "verbal and violent intimidation" led to his decision to leave the "Britpop" band.

Published: 2009-08-29 Provider: Canoe

Corgan Explains Why He’s Keeping Smashing Pumpkins Name

Photo: Flanigan/FilmMagic Billy Corgan defended his decision to keep performing under the name the Smashing Pumpkins in a long, rambling blog post last week on the band’s official Website, telling fans that even though drummer Jimmy Chamberlin — the Pumpkins’ last original member not named Corgan — left the group, the band will still make music fans will hopefully deem worthy of the Smashing Pumpkins moniker. “What the future holds is unknown to me. I am 100pct committed to the future of SP. I c

Published: 2009-07-13 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Oasis Pay Tribute to John Lennon on New Album

Oasis’ Gallagher brothers’ love of the Beatles is no secret, and on one track off their new album Dig Out Your Soul, the band will pay tribute to John Lennon directly. The ballad “I’m Outta Time” will reportedly feature an audio extract of a John Lennon interview. “Liam has so much passion for the subject,” a source told the U.K. Sun, “He’s obsessed. That’s why the song is so brilliant and poignant.” The song is considered a candidate for a future single. Dig Out Your Soul is due out October 7th, with the single “The Shock of the Lightning” preceding it. [Photo: Getty]

Published: 2008-08-08 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Exclusive Clip: “CSNY: Deja Vu”

This Friday sees the theatrical release of CSNY: Deja Vu, a very different kind of band documentary. It follows Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young on their “Freedom of Speech” tour in 2006 and features a combination of performance footage combined with stories from and interactions with fans on the road. Click above for an exclusive clip from the film, including why Stephen Stills equates his band’s live show with political cartoons.

Published: 2008-07-22 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Videos

WAIFS WON'T PLAY IT SAFE

WHETHER you happen to be the pope visiting the States or Dorothy dropping in on Oz, nothing makes you feel special like a pair of ruby slippers. That's why singer Vikki Thorn will be in her red stilettos as she saunters onstage when the beloved...

Published: 2008-04-29 Provider: New York Post Keywords: Thorn, Waifs, album, Sundirtwater, life, song, band, music, red, track, music

Liam Finn: Artist to Watch 2008

Over at the Breaking Blog, we’ll be spotlighting acts from our Artists to Watch package for the next week. First up is Liam Finn, the singer-songwriter son of Crowded House’s Neil Finn. To find out how a biker gang once held a teenaged Finn hostage and why he named his first band Betchadupa — and to watch Finn serenading passersby on a busy downtown New York City street — click here. To check out the rest of our Artists to Watch coverage, complete with videos and key tracks, click here.

Published: 2007-11-15 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Artist to Watch, Breaking

Tenacious D fans: They're D-voted

Arts & EntertainmentAsk Tenacious D fans why they like the band and you'll most likely get a look of incredulity. I mean, c'mon — this is the Greatest Band on Earth, as D members...

Published: 2007-02-18 Provider: Seattle Times

Alopecia by Why?

The band returns with its latest album. With guests musicians Andrew Broder and Mark Erickson of Fog. [Rap, Indie]

Published: 2008-03-11 Provider: Metacritic

The Killers Inside: Rolling in Vegas With Brandon Flowers

Photograph by Max Vadukul Brandon Flowers is having trouble explaining himself. Maybe it’s because nothing about him adds up: a couture-wearing synth-pop fanatic who wants to be Bruce Springsteen; a devout Mormon who sings in a decadent Las Vegas rock band. Maybe it’s because when Flowers talks, he tends to get in trouble — like when he bragged that Sam’s Town, the previous album from his band, the Killers, was “one of the best albums in the last 20 years” before anyone heard it. Or maybe it’s because, as the Killers prepare to release their third album, Day & Age, he’s still not sure what kind of band they are. “Every day, I change,” says Flowers. “One day I want to be dead serious, and the next I just want to write great pop songs and have fun. I don’t have any kind of clear direction. I don’t know if I’d want to.” He sighs. “I don’t even know why people want to talk to me.” Read the rest of Brian Hiatt’s feature from the current issue of Rolling Stone here: • The Killers Inside: Rolling in Vegas With Brandon Flowers, the Biggest, Most Insecure Mormon Rock Star Ever

Published: 2008-12-22 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

AC/DC Singer Johnson Putting “Thoughts And Anecdotes” Into New Book

Photo: Miller/FilmMagic AC/DC singer Brian Johnson has something to do during downtime on the band’s Black Ice tour: The vocalist has signed a deal with Penguin Books to pen his memoirs, a collection of “thoughts and anecdotes” he’s compiled in his years as the singer of the Australian band. Don’t expect a tawdry tale like Motley Crue’s The Dirt, however, as Johnson’s 300-page manuscript will have a different tone. “I like humor a lot,” Johnson said, “and cars have been a big part of my life. I’m lucky enough that I’m able to buy some of the exotic ones. Instead of doing drugs, I did motorcars. I’m not sure which one is more expensive.” Stories in the book will likely include Johnson’s debut ride in a Concorde jet, his first auto race and that time he drove backwards for 9 1/2 miles because his gears were busted. No title or print date has been announced yet. Related Stories: • Why “Black Ice” Beat “Chinese Democracy”: The Tale of Wal-Mart Vs. Best Buy • AC/DC Turn “Rock N Roll Train” Into World’s First Excel Video • AC/DC Return to the Road With Same Old Awesome Song and Dance

Published: 2008-12-22 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Coldplay Already Planning “Viva La Vida” Follow-Up For 2009?

Photo: Bedder/Getty Coldplay’s Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends is barely two months old and already the band are aiming for a 2009 release for their next album. The sessions the band had with producer Brian Eno were so “incredibly fruitful,” a source at Coldplay’s label EMI said, that they recorded more music than a single album could house. “The majority of the follow-up is already in the can, though they will have to go back into the studio at some point to add a few more songs,” the source told the U.K.’s Telegraph. So why the rush? The source speculates that after this upcoming album — which would be the band’s fifth — could be combined with an obligatory greatest hits compilation to fulfill their contractual obligation to their label. Chris Martin has already hinted at a new record in 2009, saying it would be the likely destination of the band’s collaboration with singer Kylie Minogue. Related Stories: • Coldplay Debut Hype Williams, Anton Corbijn “Viva La Vida” Videos • Pemberton Day 3: Coldplay Joke Their Way Through Headlining Set • On the Charts: Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” Continues Big Sales Trend • More Coldplay

Published: 2008-08-21 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Coldplay